EpitaphOne

"Epitaph One" didn't air as part of Dollhouse's first season. But fans at the San Diego Comic-Con got to watch it, as do those that plunk down their hard-earned cash for the Season One DVD. But, if you're still on the fence about the show, now you have the opportunity to watch "Epitaph One" to make up your mind via iTunes.

And if you found absolutely anything at all to like about Dollhouse, then you owe it to yourself to check out "Epitaph One." Not only is it by far the best episode of Dollhouse yet, it's one of the best single episode installments of any science fiction premise I've seen; I go on and on like this in my review of "Epitaph One" from a few weeks back.

With the new season gearing up to go soon, this is a brilliant move. "Epitaph One" is one of the best reviewed episodes of the series, and one of the most buzzed about "lost" episodes in quite some time for any series.

Yesterday was cable's last day here in Pasadena, with only a few quotable lines of note (mostly from Omarosa, promoting her new TV One reality show, Life After). The afternoon was full of set visits; first to the Paramount lot to visit Three Rivers and NCIS: Los Angeles, then to Fox to drop by Bones and Dollhouse.

Of course, the last one is probably the one of most interest to the Squad's readership. And that's something Joss Whedon emphasized as he appeared first solo, then with the cast; despite the show's dismal Nielsen numbers, its "non-traditional" numbers -- DVR, online, etc. -- were enough to get the show renewed.

Still, Joss was astounded to be in front of us on that set again: "Welcome back to the biggest surprise of my career: our season two."

More on the panel, including the impact of "Epitaph One" on the second season, after the jump.

(S01E13) This episode of Dollhouse never actually aired on Fox, and in fact, it's not going to. I'm not sure why, though, because I thought it was fantastic. Yes, it was a dramatic departure from what had gone before, but despite its unique presentation, it offered some amazing insight into the world of Whedon's Dollhouse, and its future.

"Epitaph One" will be available on the Dollhouse: Season One DVD, available July 28, 2009. It was also screened this past weekend at Comic-Con. Even though I wasn't there, I did manage to get my hands on it, so join me, if you will, for a very spoilery look at the true season finale of Dollhouse.

Just a few short months ago, you wouldn't have thought that Joss Whedon's Dollhouse would have a presence at 2009's Comic-Con International. The show seemed on the brink of oblivion right up until its renewal for a second season.

Whedon and Dushku appeared at a press conference Friday to discuss the future and recent past of Dollhouse as it prepares for its new season this September.

The panel for the fans was built around a new, second pilot for the show, "Epitaph One." The story darkens the show and reveals Dushku's character in a new and very special light. (It's too late in the dead of night for spoilers, so more on this later.)

Maybe Fox's decision not to air "Epitaph One," the final episode of Dollhouse's first season, was a good one. Good for Fox, I mean.

The unaired ep, which will show up on the first season DVD/Bu-ray sets and screen at Comic-Con, is bringing a lot of attention to the Joss Whedon show this summer. Judging by the reaction to a clip released earlier this week, I'm sure Fox won't have any trouble moving those DVDs.

The clip, our first bit of WhedonCrack in months, featured a dazed and confused Dr. Saunders/Whiskey surrounded by a group of armed rebels in what appears to be the future. Is it a dream? Is it a flash forward? We'll have to wait for the DVD to drop July 28 to find out.

It seems like everyone has an opinion about whether or not Dollhouse will survive its second season on Fox. Our own Brad Trechak is certain the show will be dead before the end of the year. Io9 has a more hopeful prognosis for the show's future. They say we might even be in for a surprisingly stable year for the show.

I'm not willing to go that far, but I'm hopeful that season two of Dollhouse will deliver more of the quirky and engaging storytelling Joss Whedon fans have come to love and expect instead of the dull "case of the week" plots that almost sunk season one. Last May's weird and wonderful game-changing season finale only left me wanting more -- more mythology, more mystery and more witty and subversive dialogue. Whedon is writing and directing the season two opener, now set to premiere Sept. 25. Hopefully, that means he's setting the tone for a more imaginative and interesting season of Dollhouse.